[News] Protest in Skardu and Giglit-Baltistan

Hussain Rundu (Skardu): Hundreds of students stuck in Gilgit-Baltistan protested in both big cities of Skardu and Gilgit. The students stuck in Gilgit-Baltistan who could not make to their institutes and schools after Eid Vocation due to the fragile security situation on KKH in the post Lolosar Valley killings are highly frustrated over inaction of the government to provide them safe transportation.

Previously the Gilgit-Baltistan government represented by Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah had promised to provide services of C-130 which is a plane under the control of Pakistan Army in the absence of PIA operated flights. However, two weeks have already passed but none of the promises are fulfilled to provide urgently required transportation facilities to hundreds of students stranded in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The situation turned worst in Skardu when police opened shelling of tear gas and live fire on the protesting students at Skardu Airport. Tens of students get severally hurt in the clashes and button charges by the police. When the local people saw the badly injured students they got irritated over the police and administration and mobs started rally towards Gamba Skardu. Looking at the situation the police escaped from the seen. Interestingly it is reported that by the mistaken live fire of Superintendent Police (SP) two constable got injuries.

Instead of resolving the genuine issues of safe and secure transportation for the students and public the Chief Minister has warned those protesting of dire consequences. At the same time, people do understand that the Pakistani Administration based in Islamabad is not listening to the request of CM Mehdi Shah and he is helpless.

The committee of protesters have threatened to march towards Kargil India chanting anti-Pakistan slogans if their genuine demands and not met immediately. They feel that their fellow Baltis living under the Indian controlled Baltistan, Ladakh and Kargil are much better off than people living under Pakistan Controlled Gilgit-Baltistan.